The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-08


of my dreams. Fifteen stripping sol
diers jumped out of their seats and
with one accord shouted, presumably to
me, / scarcely knew to whom: .'Get
out of here, mister!'' and as smile of
incredulity played upon my features.
''and wipe that smile off your face,
toor'
As nay retreatiRg figure cleared the
doorway one savage throat howled
again: II want to see you read the
rules before coming in here again,
SIR" 1 and my abashed partners
glanced wonderingly around, hoping
that we had by mistake gotten in the
wrong place, when we noticed on the
Intel of the door a sheet of white pa
per. Some of the rules for the regula-
ton of new cadets read thus: before
coming in the Office be careful to but
ton each button of the coat; carry the
palms of the hands straight to the
front; deport yourself in a military
manner; end every official communica-
ton with Sir always prefix the title,
Mr. to your own and others names,
and never speak until spoken to-
Again silence prevailed. Who should
make the next attempt? Who of US
should inform them that we were sent
over not to be disturbed, but to be as
signed to quarters? Not l. After
painful suspense a long lank fellow
from the South essayed il. In he
walked with a "We've come to"
but no, the band inside, each and every
one sprang from their seats as though
urged by bent pins. ''Well, Mr.. Du-
Ticket, did you read the orders not to
speak until spoken to? Take your
shiny eyes offo me and quit that gazing
around" said one tall cadet of ramrod
proportions. A tittering outside brought
three of the occupants of the room to
the scene of merriment. Evidently the
gentlemen on the exterior were enjoy
ing their partners discontinue, for it
is human nature for people in misery to
laugh at any thing very ridiculous.
The perpendicular cadet asked: what
do you beasts mean by laughing out
here? Suppose you get your fins
around of course, their
hands. "Well, mister" approaching
an evidently tickled green country fell
low, You'll find this a very serious
affair before you get through; stand up,
sir; this is no laughing matter!' These
words rang harshly through the hall
way of the Tenth division. but there was
none to aid. Retreat was impracti-
cable; to leave in disgust was to re-
nounce all hopes of military fame.
There was bu: one other refuge-to
fight for liberty. This was subsequently,
tried by several of the "beasts," bat
with poor results, ass their disfgured
faces attested. West Point gymnasium
training was too thorough to permit of
beast whipping a ''yearllng" Il. e.,
one who has been at West Point a
year, Even though one of class falls
victim to the hard blows of sinewY
plebe, West Point etiquette prescribes
another and yet another of the defeated
classmates to fight the victor, and as it
is impossible for one to whip a whole
class the pill, however bitter, must be
swallowed.
The lank Southern youth was still in
the office, surrounded by a host of adj
mirers. whats your name, mister?"
queried one. Confidence returning at
this good-natured question. he of the
South replied. Brown" Confidence
was shattered, though, when the infor-
nation was hurled back. mo, sir, Mr..
Brown-do you understand? Well,
now. Mr.. Brown, what's your name ?"
"Mr. Brown"
Brown Was wrong again. "Mr.
Brown, didn't You understand that you
must end all official communications
with STRIP You are the most b. j..
plebe l ever saw!"
There was once at the academy a
very saucy plebe named B. j. B, and
after his departure the term "B. j."
has ever been applied to the cheeky
fourth classman.
After Mr. Brown had been thus
harshly dealt with for minutes that
seemed to him hours. and the rest of US
outside had been swooped down upon
occasionally, we felt relieved when es-
corted up stairs and assigned to quar-
tiers. We felt further relieved when we
saw another band of recruits coming.
They had been examined physically
and were now to report to the cadet of
ficers.
Bunked four or five in a room, we
were given few instructions and left
alone to meditation. 1t was two weeks
before we had undergone mental exam
ination in all the preliminary studies,
and were admitted to the academy
During the period we were designated
as candidates by the authorities. but
things" and "beasts" by the cadets.
In his fourth class year a cadet is famil-
iarly known as ''plebe."
land my temporary room-mates had a
short breathing spell. We heard the
rattle of drums outside and wondered if
the music the band was playing could
ever thrill us Respondent creatures. In
the midst of thought we were disturbed
by the loud voice of a cadet corporal.
He stood at the bottom of the first flight
of stairs and shouted with all his might:
Candidates, turn out promptly"
Down from the fourth story (known
as the cocklofD they came rumbling and
tumbling. There was awaiting them